Coordination Support Associate

Host entity: UNRCO

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Project management, programme development, strategy

Application deadline: 20/08/2026

Mission and objectives

The Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO) serves as the coordination hub of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in South Africa. Under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, the RCO promotes coherence, collaboration and strategic alignment across the UN system to support the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The RCO facilitates coordination among UN entities, Government, development partners, civil society, academia and the private sector by strengthening integrated planning, joint programming, monitoring and reporting, partnerships, knowledge management and communications. Through these functions, the RCO supports the UNCT in delivering coordinated, efficient and effective development results in South Africa.

Assignment context

The Resident Coordinator's Office plays a central role in coordinating the work of the United Nations Country Team by facilitating collaboration across UN agencies and supporting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, the RCO promotes coherence, collaboration and strategic alignment across the UN system to support the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This requires strong administrative, coordination and programme support to ensure effective planning, reporting, stakeholder engagement and follow-up across multiple coordination structures.

Through these functions, the RCO supports the UNCT in delivering coordinated, efficient and effective development results in South Africa.

The RCO further supports the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030 by promoting integrated approaches across the Cooperation Framework outcomes, including inclusive economic growth and livelihoods, expanded human capabilities, accountable institutions, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability and resilience. In line with the Delivering as One approach, the RCO supports collective UN action to accelerate progress on the SDGs through evidence-based planning, strategic partnerships, and coordinated implementation

This includes support to UN coordination mechanisms such as Results Groups, inter-agency working groups, joint programmes, and multi-stakeholder consultation platforms established to advance Cooperation Framework implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Hosted within the Resident Coordinator's Office, this assignment offers an excellent opportunity for a young professional to gain practical experience in United Nations coordination while supporting one or more internal UNCT coordination mechanisms. Working under the guidance of the assigned supervisor, the UN Volunteer will contribute to coordination, programme support, stakeholder engagement, reporting, knowledge management and administrative functions while developing practical skills in inter-agency collaboration, strategic planning and UN coordination.

The assignment will additionally provide exposure to results-based management, data-driven decision-making, policy coordination, and partnerships that support the Leave No One Behind principle across UN programming.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the designated RCO Supervisor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
● Support coordination of joint planning processes linked to the Cooperation Framework annual workplans, Results Group meetings, and inter-agency implementation mechanisms
● Support the coordination of the UNCT Coordination Groups, by assisting with meeting preparation, agenda development, minute taking, follow-up of agreed actions, maintaining work plans and supporting collaboration among participating UN entities and external stakeholders.
● Assist with collecting information from participating UN agencies, maintaining coordination trackers, compiling reports, preparing presentations, monitoring implementation of agreed activities, and supporting reporting related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and assigned coordination mechanism(s).
● Support the preparation of dashboards, analytical summaries, briefing notes, and evidence products to inform decision-making by the UN Country Team and senior leadership
● Contribute to monitoring the integration of cross-cutting priorities including gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, disability inclusion, and Leave No One Behind commitments.
● Assist with communication and coordination between UN agencies, Government departments, development partners, civil society, academia and other stakeholders by preparing correspondence, coordinating meetings, maintaining stakeholder databases and monitoring follow-up actions arising from consultations.
● Support stakeholder mapping and partnership engagement with government, civil society, labour, academia and private sector actors to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration for Cooperation Framework implementation.
● Maintain filing systems, coordination records, meeting documentation, knowledge repositories and other organizational information; assist with event logistics, travel arrangements, procurement documentation, records management and other administrative activities that support the effective functioning of the Resident Coordinator's Office.
● Support maintenance of digital knowledge repositories and information management systems to improve institutional memory, coordination efficiency, and access to strategic information.
● Support the implementation of joint UN initiatives by assisting with research, information management, preparation of briefing materials, drafting summaries, documenting lessons learned and contributing to activities related to the UNCT Coordination Groups, as assigned by the Resident Coordinator's Office.
● Contribute to initiatives related to digital transformation, innovation, and data systems that strengthen coordination, service delivery, and reporting across the UN system.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest or experience in:
● Programme coordination, project administration or development programmes.
● Stakeholder engagement, partnerships or inter-agency coordination.
● Monitoring and reporting, knowledge management or research.
● Administrative support, event coordination or communications
● Results-based management, monitoring and evaluation, SDG reporting or policy analysis
● Data collection, analysis and visualization for programme management
● Research on socio-economic, governance, or sustainable development issues
     
Skills in:
● Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Microsoft Teams).
● Administrative coordination and records management.
● Report writing, research and information management.
● Meeting coordination, minute taking and stakeholder engagement.
● Planning, organization and effective communication.

*Mastercard Foundation Alumni and Youth with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

*Candidates must be between 18 and 34 years of age at the time of application.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust
Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication
Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing
Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness
Working in Teams.

Living conditions

Bigger cities in South Africa can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South Africa are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.